What do you do if you're a consultant and want to stay ahead of industry trends?

Remaining at the forefront of industry trends is paramount for consultants to provide valuable insights and solutions to clients. By adopting a proactive approach to learning and networking, consultants can stay abreast of emerging technologies and market shifts. Here are some key strategies to consider: Continuous Learning: Dedicate time to research and education. Networking: Engage with industry peers, attend conferences, and join relevant communities. Market Analysis: Stay informed about market shifts and emerging technologies. Client Feedback: Gather insights from clients about their challenges and needs. Adaptability: Remain flexible and willing to pivot strategies based on new developments.

Start to hook yourself up to feeds where others already share content on your topic. E.g. LinkedIn Groups, Youtube Channels, Forums, Follow other thought leaders. But my recommendation is to look broader - become a general futurist, because so many trends are interconnected that you need to know them all to get the full picture: AI, Quantum Computing, Demographic shift, Globalization, Resource Scarcity, Technological Convergence, Sharing Economy and many more :-) ?? Follow me or get in contact with me to learn more about them.

Whether you are a consultant or not, stop walking is rarely the best way to keep moving forward :) Japanese's budo promotes "shoshin", the beginner's mind, meaning to keep the habit to have a fresh view on everything, especially what you think you already master.

Embrace curiosity means to have a strong desire to learn, explore and discover new things. It involves being open-minded, asking questions, and seeking knowledge, even in areas that may not be familiar or comfortable. Embracing curiosity can lead to personal growth, creativity, and innovation. It can also help us to better understand the world around us and the people in it.

Networking is vital for consultants looking to remain updated on industry trends and changes. By connecting with professionals across various sectors, you gain a broader perspective of the business landscape. To expand your network, participate in industry meetups, join professional associations, and engage in online forums. These activities not only provide insights into new developments but also offer opportunities to exchange ideas with peers who bring diverse perspectives. This broad networking approach can significantly enhance your consultancy practice by keeping you informed and adaptable.

Data analysis is crucial for understanding industry trends. As a consultant, utilizing tools and methodologies to collect and interpret data from your client engagements and broader market research is essential. Analyze the data to identify patterns, anomalies, and emerging narratives that may signal shifts in consumer behavior or technology adoption. A data-driven approach allows you to make informed predictions about future trends in your industry, helping you stay ahead of the curve and provide valuable insights to your clients.

Couple of ways to stay ahead are: 1/ Identify a 'stretch' opportunity outside your day job, this could be participation in a special project or just shadowing experts 2/ Identify a few thought leaders and follow their feed. People having a large number of followers are not necessarily thought leaders, look for quality content, originality and positive feedback from others on their content

- Become a Knowledge Sponge: Devour industry publications, research reports, and online resources. Identify recurring themes and emerging patterns. - Embrace Continuous Learning: Take courses, workshops, or certifications in areas relevant to your field and future trends. Invest in your expertise to stay ahead of the curve. - Follow the Innovation Hubs: Subscribe to newsletters from leading research institutions, technology companies, and consultancies to get insights into cutting-edge advancements.

I firmly believe that you should try new things for yourself. It's nice to read and hear about new things, it is through hands-on experimentation that true learning occurs. Examples: I tried to create a PPT with the help of Microsoft Copilot and was wildly disappointed with the result. // I tied to build my own GPT with CustomGPT and was very happy, learned a lot. // Next; I'll synthesize my own voice and try to deepfake a video of me. Experimentation helps to be realistic.

Here’s a quick tip from my own playbook running a digital marketing agency: It’s not just about using AI-powered tools—it’s about really getting to grips with them. I’ve dedicated time to understanding how these innovations can revolutionize not only our strategies but also how our clients’ teams operate and their overall company culture. By strategically managing change and clearly articulating the reasons and methods behind each innovation, we help ensure that both our agency and our clients are not just keeping pace, but leading the charge in our fast-evolving industry. This proactive approach greatly enhances efficiency and workflow quality, while also fostering a forward-thinking culture.

If you hope to make your living as a consultant, staying on top of industry trends is table stakes. If not, you can't bring value to your clients or prospects. It's a critical part of your offering. Make doing so a critical part of each day.